Official Texans vs. Bills Game Thread, 11/4/2012

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Arky

Martin brings the punt back all the way to the Bills 43. 26 yards on the punt return.

Not to ignore the superb efforts from Andre Johnson today or the excellent play design and execution of the Owen Daniels TD, but this punt return early in the third quarter might be the play of the game.

It followed a rather lethargic first half and provided a spark from a part of the team that hadn't done many positive things lately. Of course, another great pass and reception from Schaub to Andre followed to set up the 3-yd Foster scoring run for what would prove to be the go-ahead points, but this return seemed to give the team the kick in the pants it needed. Hopefully it is a sign of improved production out of the Texans return game.

[popanot]

Yes, this team is finally good enough to beat a bad team even when they're not at the top of their game. However, a couple concerns I have coming out of that game are:

1. IMO, our OL was getting manhandled at the point of attack. A lot of the dumb penalties they got called for was a direct result of them getting abused time and time again.

2. I'm not sure what the hell is going on with Graham, but I think there's more to Kubiak going for it and not kicking the FG than it was Kubiak just trying to be creative and going for the kill. Perhaps it's time they bring in a kicker or two for a tryout.

As for Kubiak going for it, I understand the D was playing well and if the play worked he's a genius. However, that was still an extremely risky call at that point in the game. It's not like our D was stifling and BUF wasn't moving the ball on us. I understand that it was still a 2-score game even if we had kicked a FG, but if BUF did happen to get 2 scores, the difference is a potential AFC loss (up by only 12 after going for it) as opposed to a win or at worst a tie and OT since BUF would've had to score 2 TD's plus a 2pt conversion. But like I said, I think going for it might have said more about Graham's health or Kubiak's confidence in his leg than it was about Kubiak trying a kill shot.

BTW, they need to find ways to get Mercilus more snaps than what he's currently getting. Not sure how they do it, but the kid is active and making game-changing plays when he's on the field. Interesting point here... Yesterday's game was all about Mario (ad nauseam), and yes, he played better than usual (that's typical motivated/unmotivated Mario). However, IMO, the kid who we drafted to replace him ultimately had a bigger impact on the game. I haven't seen any of the TV 'experts' make that connection yet.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

2. I'm not sure what the hell is going on with Graham, but I think there's more to Kubiak going for it and not kicking the FG than it was Kubiak just trying to be creative and going for the kill. Perhaps it's time they bring in a kicker or two for a tryout.

As for Kubiak going for it, I understand the D was playing well and if the play worked he's a genius. However, that was still an extremely risky call at that point in the game. It's not like our D was stifling and BUF wasn't moving the ball on us. I understand that it was still a 2-score game even if we had kicked a FG, but if BUF did happen to get 2 scores, the difference is a potential AFC loss (up by only 12 after going for it) as opposed to a win or at worst a tie and OT since BUF would've had to score 2 TD's plus a 2pt conversion. But like I said, I think going for it might have said more about Graham's health or Kubiak's confidence in his leg than it was about Kubiak trying a kill shot.

I don't think it was about killer instinct. It was the smart play. The odds of a conversion there are about the same as the odds on a Graham FG from 47 (50/50). Not to mention a conversion ends the game (even without a TD we run half of the remaining clock at least), while a FG simply means a 2 TD collapse gets us to OT. Throw in the 7 yards of field position that a failed FG means compared to a failed conversion. It was the smart play.

Now if we are unhappy with a kikcer who is very accurate inside of 45 and has no range, then that is another story.

[popanot]

While I do understand the call, I'm not sure I'd call it smart. Fact is, some will like it and some won't. I'm of the latter in that situation. If you want to go for it, then hit an underneath play -which we were killing them on all game- and burn the clock. But going back to my K point, if we can't have faith in our K in that range at home and under calm conditions, then we could be in trouble when it really matters and/under hostile conditions. The other side to this is our kick-offs suck too. Just saying it might be time to bring in some competition.

I understand it's mid-season and there might not be great options out there, but at least look. They've been bringing in has-been/never-were WRs/QBs/other positions for a looksie, why not a K? I'd at least bring in Keading (who I'm pretty sure is healthy and a FA now. Might be wrong tho...) and maybe Kundiff for a look. Again, not great options and it doesn't mean they have to hire them, but at least look.

[nunusguy]

Unless our KO guy was hurt or ill yesterday, I think he should spend all week practicing his squib-kick because I definitely don't want him getting the ball no further than the 10 or 15 yard line on KOs to the likes of Devin Hester.
And yea, we need to get Mercilus on the field more and more, he's our quickest edge-rusher and he's just too talented and important to the pass-rush to leave languishing on the sidelines as much as he's been left there lately. Cutler when "on" is an incredible passer with an even stronger arm that Aaron Rogers, so we need to maximize our QB pressure this coming Sunday in ChiTown.

[barrett]

The kickoffs were pop-ups and were an answer to our ST coverage issues (and our inability to put it out of the endzone). And they worked very well considering the best KR team in the NFL had 52 yards on 4 returns. They got their KRs to the 26, 26, 23, 31. When you can't kick a touchback, the other team can't move it against your offense, and they have two very dangerous KR men, that is great field position and a great adjustment from the coaching staff.

Again, if your guys issue is our kicker just isn't very good, I agree. That's why he was our backup kicker and was destined to be cut in the preseason. Unfortunately injury happened and we are left with the choice between accuracy issues (what's available in week 9) or leg issues (what we have).

The kickoff issues have been overblown because we have nothing else to complain about. Our scoring defense is amongst the tops in the league and ST played no role in our only loss.

So it comes down to Graham hitting short ones and not being relied on past 45, or a kicker off the street who might hit from 50 or might shank a 35 yarder. 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.

[Arky]

Early line on Houston vs. Chicago is "pickem" to Chicago by 1.5....

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Arky

Early line on Houston vs. Chicago is "pickem" to Chicago by 1.5....

I'm surprised it's that close, I figured the Bears would be favored by atleast 3-4 ?

[Arky]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I'm surprised it's that close, I figured the Bears would be favored by atleast 3-4 ?

Yeah, there's probably several ways to look at it.... Homefield they say is worth 3 pts., so on a neutral field, the Texans would be favored. Chicago looked so strong against Tennessee this weekend - perhaps the books are encouraging people to put money on Chicago because they expect the Texans to win?... Who knows?....

On paper, it looks like a pretty even matchup..... Both teams only loss was to Green Bay which says something about Green Bay's ability to get up for a big game..... Green Bay's losses = "robbed" in Seattle, a big fat "Doh!" against the Colts and a Week 1 loss to the 49'ers....

[chuck]

Originally Posted by popanot

As for Kubiak going for it, I understand the D was playing well and if the play worked he's a genius. However, that was still an extremely risky call at that point in the game.

I was more confused by the team's not going to Andre on a quick slant route on third down. Andre was demolishing whoever it was that was lining up against him; he got a HUGE cushion and it was obvious that the CB was terrified. I would have looked to Andre a lot more than they did (I know he caught a lot of passes but I would have thrown to him even more) and I certainly would have gone his way on third down rather than trying for a big gain like they did. That's pitch and catch and you keep marching.

[HPF Bob]

I agree with Chuck. They kept trying to get Foster his 100 yds but AJ was as good as a running play with those quick slants.

I read where Vegas took a bath this week because all the favorites won and they got killed on parlay tickets. Perhaps the early line of the HOU-CHI game is a reflection of some gunshyness out in Vegas this week.

Also keep an eye on the weather, this being a night game in Illinois in November. Could get chilly.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by chuck

I was more confused by the team's not going to Andre on a quick slant route on third down. Andre was demolishing whoever it was that was lining up against him; he got a HUGE cushion and it was obvious that the CB was terrified. I would have looked to Andre a lot more than they did (I know he caught a lot of passes but I would have thrown to him even more) and I certainly would have gone his way on third down rather than trying for a big gain like they did. That's pitch and catch and you keep marching.

Exactly. I don't have a problem with them going for it. I just think they should've ran a higher percentage play for the 1st down in that instance and milk the clock some more. With that being said, I certainly understand the intentions of why they ran play they did. AJ was beating his guy all day, and who knows, with the way the ref are calling PI this year at the drop of a hat, they were hoping AJ would either get the neccessary separation and/or the PI call.

[Keith]

Kubiak went for the kill to step on the opponents' throats. Something many if not all of us have been begging for him to do every chance he has had and passed up over the years. He finally did it, and now we're questioning him??!

At the time, I was surprised by the decision, but before the play was even snapped, I thought the Texans ought to go to the endzone and give it a shot. As such, I have no problem with the call.

[popanot]

Kill shots can happen in many different ways and at various times of the game. Simply getting a first down at that point would've been a virutal kill. My original point was not so much about the play or going for it, it was about the fact Kubiak going for there was more a sign, at least IMO, about his lack of confidence in our weak-legged Kicker than it was about him going for the kill.

But as far as the play goes, I'm not totally opposed to the play they ran or reaming Kubiak for it. I get it. If works he's a genius. But with that being said, I still think running something more conservative or higher percentage would've been better in that situation and at that point in the game. Again, first down = kill. JMHO.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

Kill shots can happen in many different ways and at various times of the game. Simply getting a first down at that point would've been a virutal kill. My original point was not so much about the play or going for it, it was about the fact Kubiak going for there was more a sign, at least IMO, about his lack of confidence in our weak-legged Kicker than it was about him going for the kill.

But as far as the play goes, I'm not totally opposed to the play they ran or reaming Kubiak for it. I get it. If works he's a genius. But with that being said, I still think running something more conservative or higher percentage would've been better in that situation and at that point in the game. Again, first down = kill. JMHO.

Kubiak did not call a deep pass to AJ. That was not the only route in the play. Schaub throws the pass because he likes what he sees there (and the CB is riding on AJ's back but is somehow not flagged).

As for no confidence in Graham from distance, get used to it. But even if we had Janikowski I say go for it. A conversion ends the game. A FG makes it 15 instead of 12 and does almost nothing for us.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by barrett

A FG makes it 15 instead of 12 and does almost nothing for us.

Requires them to score 2 TDs + a 2pt conversion. If we sit at 12, 2 TDs = Loss. I disagree with your point. Sorry. I also disagree with your point there were other options on that play. There might have been other players out there, but that play was intended from start to finish to go to AJ, and that's exactly what they did.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

Requires them to score 2 TDs + a 2pt conversion. If we sit at 12, 2 TDs = Loss. I disagree with your point. Sorry. I also disagree with your point there were other options on that play. There might have been other players out there, but that play was intended from start to finish to go to AJ, and that's exactly what they did.

You think Kubiak tells schaub to throw it before the play?

Without a bad corner playing press coverage (taking away the short route), with no safety help, that throw isn't even considered. Sometimes (especially in a 4th down situation), the defense dictates what you are going to do by taking something away. It doesn't mean that was your only intention as a play call.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by barrett

You think Kubiak tells schaub to throw it before the play?

No, but I do think that play -in that instance- was specifically fully intended to go to AJ and that's exactly how they ran it.

Originally Posted by barrett

Without a bad corner playing press coverage (taking away the short route), with no safety help, that throw isn't even considered.

Maybe. But even if the S did come over to help, Schaub's other option is to throw it away - which I'm sure he would've done. I'm telling you there was no other receiver option on that play as there were only 2 players running a route (AJ and Walter).

Just for grins, I went back to the DVR and looked at it. On the play, there are 2 WRs lined up - AJ wide to the left, Walter wide to the right - both with one-on-one man coverage. As the play starts, Casey (not OD) stays shorts and takes about 2 steps and locks up with #54. Foster takes 2 steps and stops to block. AJ runs a straight endzone route along the left sideline and Walter runs a straight endzone route along the right sideline. Schaub takes the snap, looks to the middle of the field for a FRACTION of a second as he drops back (presumably to hold the S), then looks immediately to AJ and throws. This is a quick reaction play and it all happens in a matter of seconds. Schaub never once looked at Walter, Casey never turns around and dosen't even have time to do so, and Foster stays in to block. Only 2 real options and only 1 is even looked at by the QB. And actually, even though a S cheats over to help with Walter, Walter has gotten better separation from the DB and probably would have been the better target had Schaub waited and looked over there.

Whether Kubiak called it or Schaub called it at LOS (although it doesn't appear he audibled to it), Schaub's (the Texans) sole intention on that play was to go to AJ. The only way he doesn't is if BUF leaves Walter standing out there by himself uncovered.

Honestly, I'm not why we're beating this dead horse. I didn't have problem with them going for it, I don't really have a problem with the play they ran (although I would've went short for a 1st down), and I don't have a problem with Kubiak/Schaub calling it. My original comment was about a K, not a play.

Yes, I guess I'll have to "get used to" having a weak K, but that doesn't mean I like it and can't comment on it. Not much we can do now other than hope it doesn't bite us in the ass when we need a 40+yd FG to win home field or a playoff game.

[barrett]

There were some comments about the play call and I felt like Keith (we knock Kubiak for being conservative and then get upset when aggressive doesn't work). Those weren't your comments when I went back and looked. I think it was a good play call. It was clearly interference and it should have been called. That is the rare occasion I wish Andre was the vocal type of WR, because a huge gesture and waved arms probably gets him a call there. And I think Schaub could easily have checked out or looked elsewhere if they didn't line up the way they did. But they pressed AJ and that means the short stuff is not as easy and the deep ball was there.

Looking at the posts I see you were more concerned (justifiably) that we don't have a kicker who we feel good about outside of 40 yards. I am with you on that one, but that is what injuries do. It is also what happens when a team has cap issues. Specialists tend to suffer when there a shortage of dollars to go around.